Media Contact: Lauren Anderson 571/431-0843

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99th Annual AOPA National Assembly Coming to Boston, Sept. 8-11

WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 26, 2016 – The 99th Annual AOPA National Assembly is coming to the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA. The Annual Assembly is the highlight of the year for the more than 2,200 orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic professionals expected in attendance – because of its expansive educational opportunities, massive exhibit hall, and engaging events.

AOPA is proud to unveil Expo Day in the 100,000 square foot exhibit hall, where there will be special events, patient demonstrations and lots of door prizes. Special guests at Expo Day include Jeff Bauman, who became an amputee during the 2013 Bombing and played a vital role in identifying the bombers. He will be signing copies of his memoir, Stronger to benefit the Wiggle your Toes Foundation. Professional ballroom dancer and bombing survivor Adrianne Haslet-Davis will perform for the crowd and teach interested participants the Waltz or the Rumba.

The much anticipated Grand Rounds will begin with Adrianne and Heather Abbott sharing their stories of recovery since the bombing. Then a multidisciplinary panel will review three actual case studies of amputee survivors with the medical teams who cared for them. The panel will be moderated by Dr. David Crandell of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, who was involved in the care of 25 of the most severely injured survivors of the bombing, including 15 amputees. The panel includes surgeons, prosthetists and physical therapists from Spaulding, Boston Medical Center, Atrius Health, Brigham & Women's, Medical Center O&P, and Hanger Clinic.

Another anticipated program is the session on Osseointegration, a relatively new procedure where a titanium rod is implanted in the bone of the residual limb to attach a prosthetic limb, instead of a traditional socket. The procedure is being used by only a few surgeons worldwide, and several will be on the panel for this discussion.

The full schedule for the Assembly is online at www.AOPAnet.org.

About the National Assembly The AOPA National Assembly is the country’s oldest and largest meeting for the orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic profession. The Assembly will be September 8-11 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA. Learn more and see the schedule of events.

Questions? Please contact Lauren Anderson, AOPA’s Manager of Communications, Policy, and Strategic Initiatives at 571/431-0843 or [email protected]. Event times and locations:

Expo Day- Saturday, September 10, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM  Jeff Bauman book signing with proceeds benefiting Wiggle Your Toes. Location: Auditorium, Aisle 500 Time: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM  Adrianne Haslet-Davis dance performance Location: Booth 1629, Hall D Time: 10:15 AM  Adrianne Haslet-Davis Dance Instruction Location: Booth 1629, Hall D Time: 10:30 AM

Education Highlights: . Sept. 9, 2:00 pm: About Osseointegrated, Percutaneous Implants for Rehabilitation following Limb Amputation . Sept. 10, 2:00 pm: Boston Strong Grand Rounds . Sept. 9, 7:30 am: Keynote #1 with Sen. Bob Kerrey . Sept. 9, 11:30 am: Keynote #2 with David Gergen, CNN Senior Political Analyst

About AOPA AOPA, based in Alexandria, Virginia, is the largest non-profit organization dedicated to helping orthotic and prosthetic businesses and professionals navigate the multitude of issues surrounding the delivery of quality patient care. The association was founded when needs of returning veterans in the aftermath of World War I required a national organization to address the educational and research requirements of the industry.

American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association 330 John Carlyle Street, Suite 200 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 571/431-0876 Fax: 571/431-0899 www.AOPAnet.org